McCain Confronted With New Iran Gaffe, Gets Facts Wrong Again (VIDEO)

Yesterday, Time's Joe Klein noted that he could find no evidence that Sen. Barack Obama had ever specifically said he would negotiate with Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad:

On Friday, I promised to check into whether Obama had ever said that he would negotiate--specifically, by name -- with Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Indeed, according to the crack Time Magazine research department and the Obama campaign, he never has. He did say that he would negotiate with the Iranian leadership -- but, on matters of foreign policy and Iran's nuclear program, the guy in charge is the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. As of today, John McCain was still accusing Obama of wanting to negotiate with Ahmadinejad. Why doesn't the McCain campaign and other assorted Republicans ever accuse Obama of wanting to negotiate with Khamenei? Well, because Khamenei isn't quite the flagrant anti-Semite Ahmadinejad is...and, as we keep hearing, Obama has a Jewish problem.

Later in the day, Klein confronted McCain with this question at a press conference. For a foreign policy "expert," McCain clearly has a pattern of getting the basic facts wrong. McCain insisted that ultimate political authority in Iran rests with Ahmadinejad -- even mocking Klein when he challenged him on it. In fact, according to the CIA's World Factbook, ultimate political authority in Iran rests with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, not the president.

Here's the exchange:

KLEIN: I've done some research, and um -

MCCAIN: I have too.

KLEIN: Also checked, also checked with the Obama campaign and he never, he's never sai -- mentioned Ahmadinejad directly by name. He did say he would negotiate with the leaders, but as you know - Ayatollah,

MCCAIN: (Laughing) Ahmadinejad is, was the leader.

KLEIN: But if -

MCCAIN: Maybe I'm mistaken.

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KLEIN: Maybe you are, because -

MCCAIN: Maybe. I don't think so though.

KLEIN: The Supreme, you know, according to most diplomatic experts, the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei is the guy who's in charge of Iranian foreign policy and also in charge of the nuclear program, but you never mention him. Do you, you know, um, why do you always keep talking about Ahmadinejad since he doesn't have power in that, in that realm?

MCCAIN: Oh I thin-Again, I respectfully disagree. When he's the person that comes to the United Nations and declares his country's policy is the extermination of the state of Israel, quote, in his words, wipe them off of the map, then I know that he is speaking for the Iranian government and articulating their policy and he was elected and is running for reelection as the leader of that country. Yes sir, go ahead.

NEW REPORTER: One more quest-

MCCAIN: I mean, the fact is he's the acknowledged leader of that country and you may disagree, but that's a uh, that's your right to do so, but I think if you asked any average American who the leader of Iran is, I think they'd know. Go ahead. Or anyone who's well-versed in the issue.

Ilan Goldenberg of the National Security Network notes:

Let's be clear: Iran has a very complex system of government with varying institutions, but at the top of it sits Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who essentially has only accountable to the Council of Guardians made up of clerics, many of whom are appointed by Khamenei. So, Ahmadinejad is not the leader. And as the Council on Foreign Relations explains, especially in the area of foreign policy, Ahmadinejad has very little influence.

On top of that as Klein points out, the President's job is to educate the public on questions of policy. So if the "average American" thinks that Ahmadinejad is the ultimate leader of Iran, it's up to the President to dissuade them of this notion - not reinforce it. Back in 2002 more then half of Americans thought Saddam was responsible for 9/11 and President Bush did nothing to disprove this assumption (In fact, while never directly claiming that Saddam was responsible for 9/11 the Administration did everything it could to reinforce the notion). That doesn't mean our policy should be based on those false assumptions.

Comments

[raw915]

It is clear that McCain has about as much grasp on reality as Bush. Our choice in November is clear.

[saltpeter]

I love his "ask the average American" statement. Does he mean the "average American" who he is trying to mislead by wrongfully stating that Ahmadenijehad is the Supreme Leader of Iraq, the same "average American" that Bush is trying to mislead into thinking when he states that foreign al-Qaeda fighters are the prime enemy in Iraq when it is, indeed, local militias indigenate to Iraq who amount for the vast majority of fighters; the same "average American" who believed that Iraq was involved with 9-11 even though bin Laden and Hussein hated one another. Is this the "average American" whose overwhelmingly great misunderstanding of the region is what caused the Bush administration to garner the public opinion he needed as justification to go to war in the first place? If we relied on public opinion instead of experts in the field to plan our engagements in the region we'd find ourselves in a misguided cluster f*** policy with seemingly no way out. Wait, that's exactly what we did. We allowed the neo-con imperialists to twist facts to purposely confuse the public into thinking that we are some how defending America with our presence in Iraq while these said neo-con imperialists are making money off the misery that these once popularly supported policies impose on Iraqis AND the AMERICAN financial systems.

McCain is so hell-bent on entering Iran that he will lie, cheat, and steal his way into it.

[RumiSouth]

THANK YOU!!! I've been shouting it from the rooftops for a long time now... In the Iranian government, Ahmedinejad is about as "powerful" as Nancy Pelosi. He doesn't even command the armed forces of Iran!

[Tellecter]

Ahmadinejad is a mouth piece for the religious leaders of Iran. They control the game -- and they have selected Ahmadinejad has the defacto leader of Iran. Like it or not -- he is the world leader. In the same way that the UK prime minister is the leader -- with Parliament -- Brown is still the leader

[JessWonderin]

You still don't get it . . .

And your interpretation of Dinnerjackets statement is the Republican Neo-con propaganda "wipe out Israel" lie - read what he ACTUALLY said and in context . . .

We might add that he is a Party leader ELECTED by the PEOPLE to his office and yes beholding ultimately to Ali, but none the less an elected official "President" - very much a political animal like Bush trying to hold on to a growing unpopular position - Bush has provided the "paper tiger" needed to keep him in office by rallying Iranian nationalism in spite of his own failed economic policies - so like Bush, he needs an active "Evil Empire" to survive and keep the people at bay and off the food, fuel and gasoline shortages (sounds familiar?).

McSame has "experience" but no grasp of the facts or even the players - he still believes one can walk downtown Baghdad to buy carpets and doesn't know Shiite from Shinola . . . as evident by the continuing floundering forward of the Medimucil Dementia Express . . .

[Tobiasism]

I love how McCain resorts to the idea that A'jad was "elected" the leader of Iran. What a laugh!

[BeyondGoodAndEvil]

This should be the top story in the MSM. The fact that it isn't shows how skewed the media is toward McGaffe.

[julescator]

This may be hard to phantom, but McCain is acutally dumber than Bush. He was at the bottom of his Navel Academy class which he was dragged through because of Daddy. He peers said his incompetence is why he was shot down. Not to mention he was only in Viet Nam for 23 days when he was shot down. He sang like a bird and violated the "Code of Conduct" in doing so. If you think Kerry was Swiftboated, you haven't seen anything yet when the military gets back at this sorry guy. Being in a POW camp for 5.5 years does not qualify you for the Presidency. Being a womanizer doesn't qualify you for the Presidency, and being an ill-tempered bully doesn't qualify you for the Presidency.

This guy is not bright and is a one trick pony - national security, national security. However, ask him about DOMESTIC issues and he is woefully at a loss. The GOP needs to realize that they had 8 years to practice what they preach. It was a disaster and they won't get 4 more. We can't afford the GOP.

[ZimboChick]

u mean "hard to fathom" i hope....

[LarsGruber]

8 years ago, the chicken hawks told us that experience wasn't necessary and that religion was mandatory.

Now?

[bryanphoto]

experience is a great thing. But sound judgement and the ability to be honest with one's self is equaly as important in a leader. If the US only looked at GWs record on treating the masses (state, or corporate) they would have seen the rapist that they now see.

[Krikkit]

McStupid can "respectfully disagree" all he wants, but he is still woefully ignorant on maters of grave concern, like who has charge of the nuclear programs in Iran, and who is the leader of Iran.

"President" Ahmedinijad has no more power in the foreign arena than the Mayor of Tehran. Ever wonder why Ahmedinijad has been silent lately? Because the Supreme Leader, the Ayatollah told him to shut up and focus on the economy.

But that doesn't play into the neocon agenda, does it? So McLame has to make up "facts" as he goes along.

[beboy]

When is the mayor of Tehran going to address the U.N.?

[MrKINOKO]

The Mayor of New York has addressed the UN....what­'s your point?

[HawkOnTheLeft]

Beboy -

Ahmedinijad's last job, before he was elected president, was Mayor of Tehran. So the Mayor of Tehran has addressed the UN.

[tandrmcdonald]

Re; McCain Iran gaffe.
It now seems obvious why Joe the Weenie Lieberman is always behind John McCain. McCain can't string together two accurate words without help, Lieberman is there to provide verbal back-up. Sort of like Edgar Bergan and Charlie McCarthy. I'l leave it to wiser folks to figure out which is which.
Gramma Rose

[LarsGruber]

Joe will be inside the podium during the McCain v. Obama debates

[GabrielXL]

*LOL* As in Police Academy? *LOL* X^D

[liseworks]

That cracked me up !!!!!

[littlepuffycloud]

OMG...that was hilarious!

[SnapShots]

Please join me and thousands of others as we encircle the White House during Bush's final days in office.

We will be shouting "Get out of our house!" in unison 24 hours a day until he makes his final exit in shame, at which time we will cheer.

The rest of the world will witness this and breathe a very large sigh of relief.

Bring a bullhorn.

[Krikkit]

I do hope some folks will bring video cameras and will upload footage to YouTube to share with those of us who will be with you in spirit.

[Bushwillresign]

They are changing Thanksgiving Day in 09 to January 20. That is the day when Bush leaves us alone once and for all.

[jgalvan]

Why let facts get in the way now?

[1differentdrummer]

Gaffe? No, lie.

[JonW]

McCain will self implode over the next few months. Misspeaks, lapses of memory, confusion, flip-flops
ties with lobbyists, will be common place. He has that "glazed look" that the rest of us seniors hope we never get. Pretty sad that his is all the Rethugs can offer. Course none of his opponents in the primary were much!!

[Axolotl]

You are so right. He will take himself down. But that will further inflame and encourage the 527s and other forms of swiftboaters who will lie and distort anything they have to in order to smear Obama and prop up McCain.

It's going around that part of his motto is "Courageous Service." That's cool, but such past heroics won't help him one bit in being president, including talking with people like the Iranian leaders.

I do like the fact, however, that the Vietnamese have gotten over his bombing their country and think a lot of him for helping the US establish ties with their countries. The Vietnamese got over the Vietnam war more easily than we have, and they lost 2 million people. And they affectionately still refer to McC as the American "air pirate."

[Earl]

Even this redneck knew that Achmadickinajihad is just a loudmouth for the true power brokers in Iran: the Islamic clergy.

[GoCards1978]

Isn't it refreshing that some members of the MSM haven't forgotten they're journalists? It's about time!

[pertello]

by Delaware Watch Blog
April 21, 2008

Increasingly, Senator John McMad, the presumptive GOP candidate for President, is being exposed as a pathologically angry person unfit to be in the Senate much less serve as President of the United States. Therefore, any poll results now showing McCain running neck and neck with Obama and Clinton can be dismissed as irrelevant. The media has yet to turn their attention with any serious and prolonged scrutiny to Sen. McNasty’s record of menacing and assaultive behavior. Besides, they have been diverted weightier issues of presidential qualifications and suitability like Barack Obama’s lapel pins (or lack thereof) and his use of words like “bitter” and “cling.”


But when they do eventually discover a thriving market of Americans sensibly concerned about the prospect of a pathologically angry man becoming the President, they will have no end of evidence and witnesses, some within the ranks of the GOP. At a minimum the frightening quality of the TV commercials about McCain this Autumn could easily rival the Willie Horton ads George H.W. Bush ran against Gov. Michael Dukakis. They will probably be more frightening because in this case Willie Horton will be the GOP candidate for President himself, John McCain. The commercials will perform an important public service.

[MrKINOKO]

LOL...that­'s hilarious.­."...becau­se in this case Willie Horton will be the GOP candidate for President himself,..­.". Wonderful post. Only one thing, you may have "missunder­estimated" the American people. Alot of them, the "average Americans", probably think the Teletubbies are real, and that the WWE is actual wrestling.­...so expect thousands to follow the McCain line full tilt. That's what Bitter people do. And that is why this country hasn't moved forward other than at a glaciers pace since WW2 began. Yes, Mr. Magoo is an angry, frustrated old coot...but so are his constituents, especially the ones hungry to believe in anything the GOP tosses out to them. You know the type...the old man who dresses up in a 40 year old polyester suit and fedora to walk down to the corner store for milk and eggs. Albeit a dementa addled block of voters, it is a block all the same, and I can only imagine how much it must frustrate both Obama and HRC in terms of how to reach this demographic. No cable tv, no satellite, no internets, no Newsweek..­.nothing but what Billy Bob and Emma tell him over at the barber shop every two weeks. You know the drill...."­Ya'll hear that boy Hussein Obama is a Mooslem?". How do you battle ignorance ingrained in rural America since Paul Revere's horse put shoes to sod?

[liseworks]

So true - & Obama was hinting ever so slightly about this at his Elitist* event in San Francisco - he was just subtly voicing what most of us know - that there are 2 Americas, really :

Those who are "awake & alert" to the winds of change, decade by decade - & are open-minded & flexible to adjust -
& those backwoods people, (anyone remember the movie "Deliverance" ?) who don't keep up with the excitement of critical thinking & political evolution ....
Scary to think of votes in the latter's penmanship -

[realpolitic]

McCain's behavior is the new conservative approach to argumentation. When making a factual mistake, simply announce it is a matter of opinion. It is what Fox News has popularized, since Fox reduces all factual disputes to partisan commentary.

If someone like McCain is corrected on the facts, he simply says he disagrees with the other person's characterization. In that way, one is never wrong. It does not matter that Klein is correct or that this matter of who is in charge of another country is very critical in matters of war and peace.

With the help of Fox News, facts and opinions are given equal weight. No one is wrong in the end because facts are open to interpretation. It is the new relative morality that conservatives used to complain of so much. No policy can be diagnosed as wrong or misguided because it is all a matter of the parsing of language. In the process, our minds grow collectively mushy. McCain should have admitted he was wrong and moved on.

[Krikkit]

Unfortunately, journalism schools have made a grave mistake and pumped out too many people who think that the public good is only served by balancing opinions, while ignoring the basic facts of a matter under consideration.

We have not been served well by such niceties. Pray there are a few out there who were smart enough to detect the flaw in their education! And pray that of those, there are a few with a strong enough sense of self and the importance of integrity to report it like it is, instead of like someone opines it is.

[realpolitic]

I agree! I think the conservative assault on the media has worked. They shouted liberal bias long enough and now everything is presented as one side screaming at the other, without a referee. Intelligent design wants to present their "side" along with Darwinism, although there is no science to back it. After awhile, the whole exercise gets very ridiculous. Minimum edification, maximum shouting. I hope the media soon corrects itself before the word "fact" is dropped from our dictionari­es..